The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm gonna clean the house
I'm gonna fix the fence
With my final hours
I'm gonna tie up these loose ends
I won't leave a note for anyone to find
Tomorrow they'll know what I've done here tonight
The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me, so what the hell?
I fought, and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I've hurt you, it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you I'm gonna kill myself
Now who is that in my easy chair?
Now wait a minute, that's the old me sitting there
And I thank God, the devil in me died
'Cause I stand before you now a man changed and alive
The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me, so what the hell?
I fought, and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I've hurt you, it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you I had to kill myself.
I'm gonna clean the house
I'm gonna fix that fence
In my final hours, I'm gonna tie up these loose ends
I'm gonna fix the fence
With my final hours
I'm gonna tie up these loose ends
I won't leave a note for anyone to find
Tomorrow they'll know what I've done here tonight
The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me, so what the hell?
I fought, and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I've hurt you, it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you I'm gonna kill myself
Now who is that in my easy chair?
Now wait a minute, that's the old me sitting there
And I thank God, the devil in me died
'Cause I stand before you now a man changed and alive
The drastic steps I've taken
Are just an act of desperation
I knew no one would miss me, so what the hell?
I fought, and lied, I drank too much
Hurt everyone I've ever touched
And just how much I've hurt you, it's hard to tell
This is not some cry for help
It's goodbye, I wish you well
Because I love you I had to kill myself.
I'm gonna clean the house
I'm gonna fix that fence
In my final hours, I'm gonna tie up these loose ends
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Took me the second listen to realize he's talking about changing who he used to be, and "killing himself" to become a new, better person.